A Trace of Copper

Elemental Web Tales #1

by Anne Renwick

A small Welsh village. An interrupted romance. A rogue frog on the loose threatening their future.

New recruit to the Queen's agents, Dr. Piyali Mukherji is given a simple first assignment. Travel to the small Welsh village of Aberwyn and solve the mystery of a young woman's blue skin lesion. A challenging task, for the alarming infection is unlike anything she's seen before—and it's spreading.
 
Evan Tredegar, the town's pharmacist and the only man to ever capture her heart, knows more than he's telling. Despite his efforts to push her away, her touch reawakens old desires. As more villagers fall victim to the strange disease, he'll have no choice but to reveal his secrets, even if it means sacrificing his freedom.
 
Together they must move past broken promises, capture a rogue frog, and stop the infection before it spreads out of control.

Genres: Steampunk, Romance, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Novella

150 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2017

About the author

Though Anne Renwick holds a Ph.D. in biology and greatly enjoyed tormenting the overburdened undergraduates who were her students, fiction has always been her first love. Today, she writes steampunk romance, placing a new kind of biotech in the hands of mad scientists, proper young ladies and determined villains.

Books: https://www.annerenwick.com/bookshelf/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anne-Re...

Reviews

[Lyra (Cardan's tail's version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

As predicted, lots of pining.

[Roslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I enjoyed this much more than I did 'The Tin Rose' and it had me starting The Golden Spider (the first novel in the same series) almost immediately. So far I've found the short stories/novellas an interesting mix of steampunk elements and of romantic melodrama (which I find a bit silly) with a genuine romantic/sexual tension that I enjoy.

A side note: In a Victorian steampunk/alternate history fantasy, historical context can't be expected to be authentic, but when a specifically American expression like 'medical school' is inserted into a context like this where it doesn't belong, I find myself thrown right out of the book. In many English-speaking countries, anything post-secondary school is referred to as 'being at university' or 'studying' or something along those lines, and 'being at school/medical school' immediately feels definitively American. Of course I expect Americans to use American expressions in novels and I get that it's easy to slip into familiar colloquialisms, but the use of an expression that doesn't fit the context of the world in the novel really irritates me. OK, grumpy rant over. :-)

[Terri Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part of steampunk is the women is the female characters. They are strong and often times are the heroes of the day. Renwick's novella is no exception to how great the female characters in this genre can be. First I loved her twist on character development by creating a multi-cultural world that that included cultures not normally presented. Her use of foreign words interwoven throughout the story read flawlessly. I never once felt like she was banging me over the head with massive info dumps to get her point across. I enjoyed the uniqueness of this story. Who knew a frog could ever cause so much trouble?! I read most of it in one sitting. It was one of those books where I regretted finishing it because I wanted to read more.

[Isaiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.

I got an ARC of this book.

I have attempted to read steampunk before, but it just never felt right to me. The stories I was attempting just weren’t doing it for me, so when I saw a romance steampunk up for grabs I went for it. I can usually get behind a romance novel. It seemed like the perfect chance for me to start into the genre for real.

So fun fact: Renwick has Ph.D is biology. Her understanding of biology gave me more hope that the medical mystery element of the story would be handled in a more believable fashion than so many others that I have seen. I was not wrong. All of the science may have been 100% made up for all I know, but it read like it was legitimate to me. It didn’t seem forced or faked as a way to make the story worked. The explanation seemed like it would actually make sense even if I knew more biology than I do.

The romance was eh for me. There was the idea that these two characters loved each other already and were able to get over their issues to potentially be together again in just a matter of a few days after five years of no contact. It felt far fetched and really anti-climatic. I needed a bit more drama to make this love story really pop for me. As it stands, it felt like I had jumped into the middle or the end of a romance. I missed all of the angst and feelings. It was just an eh romance plot.

The sex was also pretty eh. The scenes were not long or graphic. The dirty talk and the use of language wasn’t the worst, but “sheath” for vagina just made me laugh instead of dragging me in. I do have to give props for consistent condom usage. I am not impressed that there is yet another hung male hero of a romance novel. I am impressed that after five years of celibacy and only one encounter in her life, that the main heroine was able to take such a large penis without a single thought. So yay for condoms, but boo for the actual sex.

Overall, this left me with an eh book. I did enjoy it. The writing was fun, but I felt like there were so many lost opportunities to heighten emotions both within the romance plot and the Russian spy plot. None of it had me devouring this book looking for answers. It was a leisurely stroll. So I will probably read more books by this author, but I will wait until I want some more fluffy pieces so I can really enjoy them fully.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the previous book, this one is a delightful blend of modern and mystical. It's easy to see the author's great love of all things science within this series. And I love that you can feel the story being grounded in scientific fact while still spinning an incredible tale that requires you to suspend your disbelief. I mean, really, bitten by a blue Amazonian tree frog in the Welsh countryside? That requires more than just a little bit of trust on behalf of the reader. But that trust is well repaid with an engrossing story of secrets, love, and scientific discovery. In true Holmesian fashion, once the possible has been eliminated only the impossible remains, even if the impossible is being bitten by a blue Amazonian tree frog in the Welsh countryside. So believe in one impossible thing immediately: you will not enjoy life another moment without reading this book.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Piyali Mukherji, an agent of the Queen, is on her first assignment: she is sent to a small village to determine the cause of a mysterious infection. Although she’s excited to solve the challenging case, she’s on edge because her once-fiancé is the town’s pharmacist.

Evan Tredegar never stopped loving Piyali, however the day he returned from his travels abroad, a tragic event prevented him from contacting her. When she shows up in his small town, he realizes that time cannot erase his love or passion.

A Trace of Copper is a wonderful novella set in the Elemental Web steampunk world. It’s a standalone mystery/romance, and knowledge of the series/world is not needed. The main characters are smart and witty. Ms. Renwick’s storytelling is both intellectually stimulating as well as emotionally satisfying.

Piyali and Evan remained loyal to one another for the years he was abroad and she was in medical school, and through the mystery of the blue frog, have a means to reconnect and rekindle their love story. The romance is always present in glances and small touches, but the pair would have to push aside feelings to work on the case. But passion can only be bottled for so long when working next to the person you love. Their love story is innocent and sweet, while the separation added a flame of heat to their romance.

Solving the medical case, as well as watching all of the other pieces of the story fall into place was exciting. I so enjoy the Elemental Web world and Ms. Renwick’s writing style! I cannot wait to read (or listen to) more!

My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot

Review copy (eARC) was provided by the author.

[Livia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first true steampunk novel, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Reasons I enjoyed this steampunk novella: Original / Romantic / Happily Ever After / Easy-to-read / Entertaining / Whimsical / Wonderful characters

Format read: Unabridged Audiobook via Author's Direct App
Narrated by: Anais Inara Chase
Length: 3 hrs and 56 mins
Release Date: 06-08-19
Publisher: Anne Renwick
Ratings
Overall ★★★★☆
Performance ★★★★★ Anais Inara Chase was a new-to-me narrator with a lovely voice and wonderful vocal acting instincts
Story ★★★★☆
I loved Dr. Piyali Mukherji's unique career and that she did double duty as an agent of the Queen. Circumstances put her back in touch with her former lover Evan Tredegar who is the town’s pharmacist. The oddness of what was happening in this town made for a very colorful read.

I'm a big fan of second chance romances and used to be an avid historical romance reader. This novella was a nice combination of both, and I'll keep my eye out for more books in this series if and when they become available via audiobook format.

[wikiiireads · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay so i read this on a 5am flight with no sleep so when i say that it was okay IDK WHETHER ITS THE DELERIUM OR THE TRUTH. but i mean for a book i randomly downloaded on stuff your kindle day and have never heard anything about and that has a cover like THAT (yes i will judge it)… it wasnt bad
WAS IT WEIRD? yes i mean the whole blue frog business was very unique butttttt it could be a lot worse. it did its job: it entertained me for two hours

[Suze Prescot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue frogs and rare plants

Evan returns from South America with a wealth of new plants and potential cures, unfortunately, a dangerous small frog has hitched a ride, and it bites.
Piyali is now a doctor and is sent to investigate, reuniting her with Evan.
An unusual romance, highly creative and very interesting.

[Deserthomemaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually 3.5 stars, as it’s well-written, but I’m rounding down because I think it’s ultimately forgettable.

[Clarissa Gosling · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting portrayal of an Indian lady struggling against prejudices to solve a mystery. The frog itself was cute and I wished there had been more time with it. The romance was a bit gratuitous at times, and not always convincing re timing. The ending was suitable twisty and well executed.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Plot: A doctor investigating a mysterious ailment runs into an old flame.

There was quite a lot packed into this novella: a second chance at love, a cute blue frog, spies, thwarted village girls, a woman doctor, mysterious plants, Welsh myths, and more. It was a lot, but it all blended nicely. I like it when an author just dives in and lets the readers just ride along, picking up what they need as they go. It was a sweet story.

[Erin Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick read. I especially enjoyed the diverse couple and the second-chance romance. The mystery was fun, though not too deep or engrossing. I will definitely try something longer from this author.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you get when you mix a little Jules Verne with a little romantic suspense and add in some steampunk espionage and a blue frog? Anne Renwick's A Trace of Copper! Although the author wrote a tough act to follow with the first two books the third is a worthy successor, although even less Jules Verne and more romance than the first two. With every Steam-Punk book I read I become more hooked on the genre, even though each of the author’s subsequent books becomes more romance and less romantic suspense, I hope future books see her return to what was so successful in the first book “I’m voluntarily reviewing an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

UPDATE: I recently purchased the audio version of A TRACE OF COPPER because I have been enjoying Anne Renwick’s Steampunk series, “Elemental” - it’s quite unique and captivating! The narrator for A TRACE OF COPPER, Anais Inara Chase, did a wonderful job with the voices. My audio copy is a “bundle” with 2 additional Tales (similar to novellas) from Anne’s Elemental series which I haven’t previously read. I look forward to listening to more fascinating tales in this medically-influenced Steampunk world. And indeed - the cover art is lovely!! (The audio bundle copy is different than shown here, but equally eye-catching).

ORIGINAL POST:
I love the book covers on Anne Renwick’s Elemental Steampunk series. They are lovely, elegant, and beautifully detailed. The cover on “A Trace of Copper” is perfection! (❤️ The blue frog!)

Wales, Spring 1885.
Mr Black is among the Queen’s best spy masters. He has selected young Dr Piyali, a specialist in infectious diseases, to check into the recent unusual occurrences in a small Welsh village. On her 1st assignment as a Queen’s agent Dr Piyali Mukherji/FMC must quickly discover the cause of an isolated, blue pearly skin rash that seems to be spreading quickly upon afflicted victims’ bodies.

Welshman Evan Tredegar/MMC recently returned from 4 yrs of scientific field work where he studied herbal cures and restoratives with a local shaman deep in the Brazilian rainforest. As an experienced and knowledgeable research pharmacist (and formerly Piyali’s dearest and closest friend) Evan could contribute greatly to Piyali’s intelligence mission. Instead, Evan seems reluctant to share information regarding the strange infection, or explain his 5 yrs of avoidance.

A Trace of Copper has a Steampunk setting, fascinating medical references, and I loved the unique main characters - Dr Piyali and Evan. I recommend A Trace of Copper to readers who enjoy the 2nd Chances trope, Steampunk and/or historical romance fiction, fiction with a medical basis, sweet HEAs, and Cozy Mysteries with romance (although the intimacy level may be more than some Cozy Mystery readers prefer).

A Trace of Copper can be read as a standalone title yet it is part of the Elemental Steampunk series by Anne Renwick. I look forward to reading the next title in the series - The Iron Fist Chronicles.
Renwick’s website has the recommended complete reading order - #1/Tin Rose/a short story, #2/Golden Spider/a full length title, and #3/Rust and Steam/a short story begin the series. Each title is delightful as a standalone title but an overall story arc connects them.

READER CAUTIONS
Profanity - Yes, but extremely rare (less than 5x?)
Violence - Marginal; not graphic. G/PG. The main character is a 1880’s British spy investigating “unusual occurrences.”
Sexual situations - Yes. Three occurrences of on-scene intimacy in this 2nd Chances novel; although such sections could be skipped.

Due to the aforementioned, IMO not suitable for YA readers.

[Nicola Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book promised to be the perfect fit for me. Steampunk, check. Strong female character, check. Bi racial couple, check. Bechdel test, pass. Lovely cover, check. Okay, the last isn't really needed for a good read but it certainly helps with my expectations. And the story did deliver.

We have our very competent Dr who got ghosted by her love when he came down with a mysterious illness. It is all the fault of a blue frog from deep in the Amazon jungle. I would have liked a few more tension filled moments between the two but their romance is sufficient for the story which more revolves around the mystery of the blue frog.

I can't believe I'm going to write this as I hate commas but I thought there could have been a more judicious application of my arch nemesis as there is occasionally an odd phrasing that could have been helped with a little more grammar.

Anne has created a very rich world but is great in that she lets us figure it out for ourselves. I hate people who tell too much instead of just letting us exist in the world. That is what happens here with references to mechanical pigeons as communication and Aether that allows for things not capable usually in this world. I love the tension with the two girls who are chasing after our love interest. The author doesn't shy away from using medical jargon but gives enough for us to understand. It certainly gives another layer or reality as this is two colleagues working together, of course they would have their own language.

Sarah, a secondary character by far steals the show in this book. I'd be happy to call her a friend any day.

I did think it funny that the bad guys were from a country that were actually allies with England at that stage. It made me realise how much US media has biased our view of some countries.

The answer to the mystery is quintessentially steampunk. Which I loved.
​​
I didn't like that our very self assured Dr apologised for her love interest being a douche bag. He should have written. They also did the mistake I find in so many movies. They spend too much time kissing when they should be hurrying to fix their problems. But then I'm not a romantic in real life and it jolts me out of the fairy tale when they do something so silly as play nookie instead of apprehending the bad guys.

I know I've whined but that isn't a bad thing. I really got involved into this book and highly invested in their story which means this book is a complete success even if some things annoyed me. I'm glad I wasn't disappointed by my check list.

[Mella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the worst part about this book is that I actually quite liked the characters and the plot for the most part. The mystery of the blue frog was interesting. What sucked though was the romantic complication. It was just so bloody stupid and it made me want to wring their necks. Without that I would've given it 3 stars but it annoyed me too much. Why not just tell her? They could've worked on solving the problem together. Especially since it's a stupid problem. And worse than that - it's her fking speciality. She is literally the expert he needed. I think there probably needed to be more gravity to the issue. Make it a more serious concern to induce tension/suspense, worry. Instead it turned out rather humorous which also would've been okay but fell slightly too short.

[Linda Lassman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The premise was interesting and I liked the take on the steampunk genre.

I had two main issues and one side issue with the book that prevented me from liking it as much as I had hoped to.

First was that there were too many shortcuts. The finest resolution crystal for your microscope is cracked? Boom--drive to the nearest small town and the guy there has a replacement for you. Need to find a cure for a disease and haven't managed to find one in years of searching? Boom--find out that it's a parasite and the next day you have a 100% effective cure. The parasite changes the cells of the innermost layer of the dermis? Boom--the liquid instantly seeps right through all the higher levels of skin just by pouring it on and also instantly corrects the cell damage with no side effects and without penetrating past the skin. Need to avoid quarantining the town so the main characters can trot off to London and take up their life together? Boom--the miraculous cure takes care of the parasite itself and cleans the environment as well, so there's no need for quarantine. The entire story took place over 4, maybe 5 days, and science just doesn't work that nicely. It would have been more believable if the investigation into the cause of the disease and search for a cure had taken a lot more trial and error, and if the cure, when discovered, wasn't so ridiculously effective.

Second, one of my pet peeves with steamy romances is when the couple are in a life-threatening or time-critical situation and they immediately leap into bed together, being completely unable to put their passion for each other on hold while they either complete their escape or finish their critical mission. Here, once they have discovered the cure and tested it on him, even though they know they need to stop the Russian spies, notify her boss, and treat the other affected patients, Evan and Piyali fall into bed together because Their Love Cannot Be Denied. It just pissed me off.

Finally, I didn't buy the Parkers as Russian spies. In a small town, the publican and his wife have to be popular with the people who live there, but neither of them showed any interest or friendliness to anyone, not even to each other (and if you're a spy, depending on your partner is critical). It wasn't a big deal, but it was just another piece that took away from the story.

All that being said, as much as I had problems with the story, I still did like it. It was imaginative and the story itself was mostly well-written. And I'm looking forward to seeing what's next in the series.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Elemental Steampunk Tales series. I bought this for Kindle

Story (4/5): This was a fun story about a young doctor who is forced to journey to a remote Welsh town in order to solve the mystery of blue lesions turning up on a young woman’s skin. She is also there to make an offer to Evan Tredegar, who is the town’s pharmacist and a man she has quite the history with.

I enjoyed the mystery behind the rogue frog and the strange disease it spread. I also enjoyed all the tie-ins with Piyali being a Queen’s agent.

Characters (5/5): The characters are definitely the highlight of the story here. I loved both Evan and Piyali, they had great chemistry together.

Setting (4/5): The setting was also fun. I liked the remote Welsh village and enjoyed the subtle steampunk elements throughout.

Writing Style (4/5): Renwick’s books are always so fun and easy to read. I really enjoy the in-depth medical knowledge and science she includes in her books. I have really enjoyed every single one of her books that I have read.

Summary (4/5): Overall this was a fun and quick steampunk romance read. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery they set out to solve. These books are always well written and incredibly fun to read. I plan on reading everything Renwick has written, I love all the science and medical information she weaves into these steampunk stories as well.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Planning for the future

A story from within the Elemental Web universe, but one that can be read without reading the rest of the series, this was an exciting story that comes from the quality I expect in this series. My only complaint it that it wasn't just a little bit longer.

Evan and Piyali met and fell in love, but they both had school and jobs they wanted to pursue countries apart. Planning to meet again in five years and marry, Piyali instead comes back to find that Evan does not want her any longer. But when a mysterious illness brings Piyali out to where Evan has been hiding away the two reconnect and secrets come to light.

I enjoyed the relationship between Evan and Piyali. Star struck in love when they first met, and with similar family histories, they had courted but they had not gone through any hard times together. This new disease along with their disagreements about how to best go about giving treatments and help were the first test to their relationship. They needed to see if they could work together and compromise, or their relationship was doomed from the start.

As with any book in this series there was a little bit of intrigue. It came from a source I did not expect and I really enjoyed it. I wish there had been a bit more follow up on that front, but hopefully we will see more in the coming series!

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Trace of Copper is the story of two people brought together to solve an obscure medical mystery who once shared a very heated past. Dr. Piyali Mukherji of the Queen's agents is sent to a Welsh town to figure out why a lesion on a young woman is turning blue. Evan Tredegar, the pharmacist in said Welsh village and Piyali's former lover, provides his expertise as they team up to solve this mystery. Can they accomplish this goal without being too distracted by emotions and words left unsaid? I appreciate a nice, strong independent and intelligent woman with an innovative mind. Dr. Piyali Mukherji, the female lead, fit that role quite nicely. Ms. Renwick provides a good balance of scientific details and explanations for why events are happening in the book when it comes to the medical mystery. The romance piece of it was a bit sudden, but I believe this was the intent considering Piyali and Evan had a passionate past. Piyali's reaction to the women of the town fawning over Evan was entertaining. I like that Ms. Renwick told the story in such a manner to allow readers insights into what the respective main characters were thinking/feeling. It helped to complete the story for me. I definitely look forward to reading more from this author.

I was given a copy of this book by the author.

[Jennifer Olivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is there not to like about this story? You have the heroine of the story, Piyali. She is a physician who is sent in from London to investigate this mysterious infection that was supposedly caused by a blue frog. The there is Evan, a research pharmacist. The two of them had planned to be together when she was through with school and he was back from the far off jungles. Circumstances had gotten in the way, and he ignored her messages to him, but now they were thrown together again, trying to find a cure. I loved the steampunk element to this story. I really also enjoyed the chemistry between the two lead characters. I thought it was a really fun and interesting read, and I enjoyed the scientific aspects of their investigation as well. Plus, you have some very interesting bad guys who are trying to get there hands on that little blue frog. So, if you enjoy a little steampunk, a strong heroine, and a little adventure, give this story a try!

[Bo0kSLoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

All's not what it seems in this small village in Wales. A Queen's agent and doctor, Piyali thought that her broken heart was starting to mend, but seeing her almost-fiancee again is breaking it all over (especially with him standing over a simpering girl). Hope dare he. She waited for him to return from the Amazon and returns with no note, nothing. But she is here as a professional for the strange blue lesion received by a blue frog that Evan seems to know more than her is letting on.
Evan longs to renew is acquaintance with Piyali, but things are not what they seem. In order to protect her, her must drive her away and find that damn blue frog before things get out of hand.
It's an enchanting story of second chances and intrigue, of mysticism and science. You'll find yourself engrossed in the loves of the characters so you hope along with them for a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating meld of mystery, science and romance in an alternate steampunk past. Piyali is a young Queen's Agent, whose first assignment is to travel to a remote Welsh town to discover the cause of a young woman's blue skin lesion. This task brings her into contact with the town's pharmacist, Evan, with whom she formerly had a romantic relationship. Although this is only a novella, all of the characters,
including the townspeople, are fully developed and there is more than one mystery to solve. The resolution is firmly grounded in science, but also weaves in mystical elements.
The novella was enjoyable in both written and audiobook form; the narrator is excellent, even using a slight Welsh accent for some characters.
I received a free copy of the audiobook via Authors Direct but am voluntarily providing my honest opinion of both the written and the audiobook version of the story.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Trace of Copper is Book 1 in the An Elemental Steampunk Tale series. This is a book well worth reading. Our two main characters Dr. Piyali Mukherji (Queen's agent) and Evan Tredegar (Aberwyn's pharmacist) have shared a failed romantic relationship in the past and now must work together to find a cure for the blue lesions that are spreading thru the village population and find the culprit. This is an exceptionally well written storyline with well developed characters who are complex and interesting. Anne Renwick has created an entertaining, suspenseful medical mystery with comic scenes that are laugh-out-loud and the romance is perfect. I loved everything about this book and highly recommend it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Received an ARC copy and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Acrcali · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, quick read. It became very quickly clear that the author had more than a passing knowledge of biology and lab practices, even before reading Ms Renwick’s bio. It sounds like some sort of screwball comedy with a doctor and pharmacist/botanist chasing after a frog that turns people blue or chameleon-like in the Welsh countryside and I was here for it! Unfortunately, I didn’t feel the setting or characterization of the locals did Wales any favors, making them little more than screeching harridans prone to superstition. Piyali, the heroine, felt anachronistic- I know it’s steampunk, but she’s still a Victorian-era woman of Indian descent- and she read as a modern (ie- now, not just for her time), strong woman. Still, it was a pleasant read and nice to see south Asian representation, predating Bridgerton season 2 by a handful of years.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book. I am voluntarily choosing to review it. Anne Renwick has done it again. She has written a story of mysticism and steampunk adventure that I want to be a part of. This is the third book of hers that I have read, and she is totally responsible for my fascination with steampunk and Queen's agents. Her writing is concise and for someone who is new to steampunk, I understood easily what was described and what was going on. The characters of Piyali and Evan are both strong and intelligent and make you hope for a better future for them. And although we did not actually see Mr. Black in this story, just his name brought up remembered trepidation. I can't say enough about these books. I highly recommend you read this story and the others.

[Kelsey Bedolli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not one of the stronger Elemental Web Tales, but still fun. One of the things that attracted me to the series to start with is that the conflict between the characters isn't usually something stupid that could be solved with a simple conversation that honestly has very little risk for any party involved. And yet....that's how this one starts. So I was a little put off from the beginning. That being said, a woman of color against the odds of her profession and her environment is refreshing and watching her navigating her very new spy position with both confidence and apprehension gives her a well rounded sense of realism. Her beau fell a little flat for me, but characters who create conflict by not speaking always do that in my opinion.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Piyali, the Indian female lead, though that when Evan, the male English lead, returned from his travels, she’d have finished her studies and they would become engaged. But he never responded to her letter. Now she is sent, as an agent of the Crown, to Evan’s village to investigate situation. A situation that leaves them spending a lot of time together and him admitting that he does want her but he has a problem and so do many of the villagers...

This novella is dual POV, well written, and cute. I appreciated the ethnically diverse lead in Piyali, and the genuine prejudice she faced as medical doctor who was a woman of colour. I appreciated that Evan was active in speaking up on her behalf but thought he could really communicate better, not just with her but overall.

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Piyali Murkerji is an agent of the Queen, and her first mission takes her to the same village where her old flame, Evan resides. Together they must solve an interesting mystery involving a frog that can infect people turning parts that come into contact blue. Overall, this is a unique steampunk fantasy novel. I really liked the main characters, especially including the FMC’s culture with traditional clothing (saris, etc).
The story could have done without, however, all the longing and and eventual reunion of the main characters. It was overdone and took away from the story. Instead of solving the case and catching the bad guy, they have sex on several occasions. The timing was terrible and really dimmed the plot.